Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
___ "Cordelia, Nothing rhymes with your name," Marigold watched from her place on the porch as Anne sang on top of the chicken coup.
"Not going to school again today?" Jerry asked Marilla.
"There's no need to be ashamed, Even though you're strange and plain. Cordelia, Nothing rhymes with your name, But don't be ashamed, Even though you're strange and plain."
"Isn't she supposed to be collecting the eggs?" Matthew asked.
"If she doesn't go back to school soon, you may have to send us both to the loony bin," Marilla murmured.
"I have a solution," Marigold raised her hand.
"Thank goodness," Marilla sighed.
"It involves fire."
"Absolutely not."
___
"Hey," Gilbert said as he caught up with Marigold.
"Hey, Gilly," Mary greeted as she waited for him to catch up so they walk to school together.
"No Anne today?"
"She's still boycotting the whole thing. I don't blame her. The kids and adult at that school are ruthless and show no compassion or sympathy towards anyone. She deserves to be treated with respect just like everyone else."
"I agree. She can't help that she's an orphan, but that shouldn't define one's character."
"Nor should one's skin tone, sex, religion, even sexual orientation. That's where the world should be heading but it won't if people are stuck in the past and close off their minds."
Gilbert couldn't help but stare at her with admiration, loving the passion in her heart and the beauty in her brain. How she is so attempting of others and loving to the people who deserve it most.
"What are you staring at?" Mary asked, as she looked at the boy in confusion. He seemed to snap out of daze before he cheeks flooded with red.
"I-I thought I saw a bug, or something."
"Okay...?"
___
After school Marigold started to take her route home before a figure jumped in front of her. She jumped and fell down.
"Well that was entertaining," The figure laughed. Marigold rolled her eyes. Of course it was Billy.
"What do you want, dumb nut?" She said as she dust off the dirt on her dress.
"We didn't get to finish our little session the other day before Gilbert interrupted."
"We didn't start anything."
"Then let's get to it, shall we?"
"We shall not." She tried to push pass him, but he got a hold of her arm.
TRIGGER WARNING:
"Where you going little, lamb?"
"Let go of me, Billy." His grip tightened, most likely creating bruise.
"Not going to happen." He reached forward with his hand and started to lift up the bottom of her dress. She thrashed in his arms, trying to go or kick him away.
"Get away from me!" His hand shot up and clasped in front around her neck. Her breath left her body as she tried to take his hands off.
"Shut up," he spat.
His hand came back down to her dress and lifted it up. He caressed the hem of her underwear.
TRIGGER WARNING END:
"Marigold?" A voice called out. Their eyes widened. Gilbert. She tried to yell out, but words wouldn't come out. Billy moved his hand away from her dress.
"If you say anything, I will hurt you," Billy threaten before he let go of her throat, causing her to fall to her knees as she tried to regain more air. Billy footsteps started to cease as another set started to come closer.
"Mary? Mary!" Gilbert fell to her side as she started to level her breathing, "What happened?"
"Nothing," She choked out.
"I don't believe that for a second," He said sternly. He looked closer at her and saw redness around her neck. "Tell me what happened."
"It's none of your business." She stumbled as she tried to stand up. Gilbert jumped up and helped her.
"Who hurt you?"
"No one, Gilly, let it go."
"Stop lying. You can tell me anything."
"I... I just can't. I don't want to make things worse."
"It was Billy, wasn't it?"
"Gilbert..."
"It was. I'm going to kill him," He started to walk in the direction of the Andrews residents.
"Please, don't!" She exclaimed, her voice still hoarse.
"Why not? That bastard can't go around doing this to women, especially you."
"I can handle myself."
"Yeah, clearly," He scoffed.
"It's not that easy-"
"Don't try to shut me out. I've been your friend since day one and I'm more part of this than you are."
"You think you can just run that pretty mouth of your whenever you want?! I don't get a say in it at all?!"
"You're hurt, Marigold! He hurt you! Why should he get away with that?"
"I'm not saying that! I'm saying wait so we can think of a better plan then storming his house and beating him up." This caused Gilbert's rage to subdue.
"Then what do you want me to do?"
"Hold me, please?" She whispered. Gilbert rushed to her and wrapped his arms around her body.
"I got you. It's gonna be okay. You're going to be okay."
